| Spotting a horse that is ready to win a race isn't | | | | haunches, is deeply creased. In the post parade it will |
| always easy. In fact, it is often the horse who first | | | | have its neck arched and have a slight bounce to its |
| appears to be least likely to win who puts forth a big | | | | step as though on springs. When it is warming up, it will |
| effort and wins. When that happens, they pay well and | | | | move fluidly and not show signs of lameness. If you |
| surprise many people. On the other hand, someone bet | | | | are at the track and can check the horses out before |
| on that runner, but why? | | | | the race, this is an excellent way to start the |
| First of all, there will always be people who bet on | | | | evaluation process. |
| longshots and who will almost never bet on a favorite. | | | | The second key to the hunt for the fit and ready |
| So in any race, when a horse wins and it isn't the | | | | horse is to use the past performances to spot a horse |
| favorite, some of those people will have it. Then there | | | | that has run at the same or higher class level than its |
| are the numbers players or people who play it | | | | competition today. It must have been competitive at |
| because of its color or name. There can be any one | | | | that level. It would be nice if this process was as |
| of hundreds of reasons why someone might have | | | | simple as looking at speed figures or purse value, but |
| backed that one. | | | | unfortunately, it isn't. Each horse that it is facing today |
| On the other hand, there may be a very good and | | | | has to also be evaluated to determine its true class |
| logical reason why the horse is backed. For the | | | | and ability level and then compared to today's runners. |
| handicappers who know what to look for, to know | | | | That is a job for a computer. Interpreting the data, |
| when a horse is ready to run, horse racing | | | | once the numbers have been crunched, however, is |
| handicapping is not a mystery. | | | | still a job for a seasoned handicapper. |
| What I look for when I am choosing horses that I think | | | | Even though a horse lost its last race, it may have |
| will run well and possibly win the race may be put into | | | | performed at today's class level, if you factor in pace |
| several categories. | | | | and the ability level of the competition in past races. |
| First of all, there is the visual category, in other words, | | | | That is why a horse who was 5th in its last race may |
| simply looking at the animal and evaluating its | | | | still win today's race and yet, for most people, the |
| appearance. When a horse is fit and ready its coat is | | | | horse will not appear ready to win. |
| dappled. The racing dimple, the crease along its hind | | | | |